What started out as an idea for a new arts-oriented school four years ago by a small group of parents is finally becoming a reality this Monday, as 850 students begin their first day at the new Parker Performing Arts School (PPA).

At SkyView Academy, community service is part of the school’s mission statement and considered one of the “five pillars” that helps to make this preschool-twelfth grade public charter school unique. While the school’s anatomy classes have organized blood drives in the past, little did anyone know that the event this year would ultimately benefit one of its own.

SkyView Academy is experiencing another year of robust arts-enriched learning, thanks to an $11,000 Alliance Project grant they received in October from the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (SCFD). This is the second year they have received a grant from this arts and cultural education fund.

hile Douglas County’s Challenge to Excellence Charter School (C2E) has a tremendous amount of technology, with 1:2 tablets in kindergarten and first-grade, 1:1 tablets in second-grade and 1:1 Chromebooks in grades three through eight, the school’s leaders say it is not the numbers that matter. It is what their students are doing with the technology and the increase in engagement they have seen that they are proud of and what captured the attention of Google For Education, who recently featured the school in a case study.

CASTLE ROCK – Science and social studies. Physical education and technology: Yvette Brown has taught it. Finance, operations and academic excellence: Yvette Brown is responsible for it. Greeting students as they walk into school every day: Yvette Brown’s favorite part of her job.

On August 9, 2014, over 30 Ben Franklin Academy (BFA) dads, grandfathers and male role models participated in a Summer Work Day to provide general maintenance and cleaning before the school opens for the year on August 20th.

CASTLE PINES – While students have been enjoying summertime and activities, the music department at American Academy Charter School has been undergoing a transformation in preparation for the rollout of a new Performing Arts department.

District News

On February 9 the PACE Center hosted Portfolio Day for students like Sladovnik. It was an opportunity for critiques from working professional artists, and workshops. It culminates in the "Bright Futures" art exhibit - a showcase of selected work on display February 16-27.

Last month, the Board of Education passed a resolution tasking the Superintendent to convene a task force inclusive of members of the general public and staff members. This task force will develop a survey for parents of students eligible for special education services and a survey for staff members who serve students eligible for special education services.

CASTLE ROCK - On February 6, the Douglas County School District (DCSD) Board of Education confirmed its commitment to begin the process of seeking approval from voters for additional local funding.

“Our children need a bond and mill levy override (MLO) to be passed in 2018, beyond any doubt,” said DCSD Board of Education President David Ray. “We want to move forward immediately with the necessary processes and collaboration with our community in order to finalize a formal funding package.”